Bachelors In

Geography Degrees

The complete guide on what you’ll learn, job prospects, university programs, and saving time and money.

Why We Love It

  • $74,920
    Potential Avg. Salary*

* Salary & growth data is based on the recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics data published at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193092.htm for 19-3092 Geographers 11/2021. Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

If you’re interested in investigating the connection between human behavior and the natural world, a bachelor of science in geography may be right for you.

Geologists study maps, boundaries, land masses, and bodies of water in a way that allows them to understand culture and how where we live affects our views and beliefs. Graduates work in environment conservation, cartography, and urban planning roles.

What is a Degree in Geography?

While many people associate the study of geography with the rote map memorization of high school classes, geography is much more than just the study of the location of places. A geography degree program connects the life and social sciences.

Students study landscapes, biomes, land and water masses, and environmental conditions using the tools and techniques of scientific investigation, but they also study how each of those things affects economics, political views, culture, and religious beliefs.

Geographers look at how biomes, boundaries, and urbanization impact individuals and communities by blending knowledge of maps and boundaries with an anthropological approach to understanding culture.

This allows them to form hypotheses about the impact of geographical and environmental changes on people in different areas, advise on policies pertaining to land development or preservation, and provide advice on changes that could eliminate or reduce hunger or poverty in a specific region.

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What Courses Would I Take For a Major in Geography?

  • World Regional Geography
  • Spatial Data Analysis
  • Map Analysis
  • Cultural Geography
  • Urban Geography
  • Dead Cities
  • Political Geography
  • Landscape Ecology

What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in Geography?

Three-fourths of the U.S. population now lives in urban areas, creating a significant divide in beliefs and values between those living in cities and those living in rural areas. This has impacts on politics, education, sustainability, and a number of other factors.

For this reason, geography program graduates should be in demand in the coming years to weigh in on the impacts of urbanization in the U.S., to advise on regionally-created cultural issues for political campaigns, and to teach these skills to up-and-coming geographers.

How Long does it take?

A bachelors in Geography will have a typical length of 4 years in a full time schedule. That said, there are many ways to speed up the timeframe by either taking more units via online coursework, community college, or taking free classes at OnlineDegree.com that could transfer to universities in the US.

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Best Jobs for Geography Degrees

A bachelor’s degree in geography provides students with a variety of career options to consider after graduation. Some of the more common positions include cartographers, geographers, environmental conservationists, and urban planners.

With additional schooling, students can also work in education or in scientific and research roles like climatology, oceanography, paleontology, or genealogy, or seismology.


How to save time and money

Our mission is to help you to avoid paying full price for college. We want your Geography degree to be affordable and accessible. Here’s how you could save:

Create Your Free SmartPlan

There are many ways to make college affordable and accessible.

That’s why we created a helpful tool called SmartPlan.

It’s free, and helps you find potential ways to save and tons of information about each school you’re considering

Think of it as your “college blueprint”, to help you instantly craft a path to your degree:

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  • Free Courses You Could Take for Credit
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See what’s possible for you and generate a free plan within just a few minutes

Create My SmartPlan

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